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Wednesday, June 29, 2016

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Desiring that any good teaching not be lost or forgotten, I have a tendency to save articles that speak to me in a particular way and, that may be useful at some later date.  As you may imagine, the pages of books, pamphlets, and journals are complete with these treasures of wisdom.Of course they may not see the light of day for years!
Today, reaching for the old Jerusalem bible, rather than going to find my own personal favorite edition, a yellowed newspaper clipping caught my attention! Dated November of 2008, printed in the Catholic Free Press by Fr. Eugene Hemrick , there was the Wisdom of the day!
It related to the happenings of our world today, as if a prophetic message had been given! Above all, this prophesy related to today’s scriptural readings for the mass celebration! What a find! I could not resist being excited over such a Sign of the Times right before my eyes, so unplanned by my human mind, yet put together by a higher Power. Here is a portion of the article found tucked into the book of Daniel…

CHANGING TIMES
           Fr. Eugene Hemrick

Stock market tycoon rips off people to the tune of $50 billion! A state governor attempts selling a vacant senate seat! CEO’s greed and ineptness cause companies to fail! Unjust layoffs abound!....
Are the signs of the times signaling our imminent funeral?

In the Supreme Court, a frieze depicts the works of good and evil. On one side are Security, Peace, Harmony, Charity,Defender of Virtue, Truth and Justice. On the other side are Evil, Corruption, Deception, Slander and Despotic Power.
Is it possible that the works of evil are presently far outweighing the works of good?
Let’s look at some historical facts to answer this and to find what is needed to counter this.

All great nations have fallen. No matter how strong we are, it is unrealistic to say this will never happen to the U.S.
Americans are a blessed people, but blessings only go so far in the face of corruption, greed and neglect of God.
It would seem that Deception and Corruption depicted in the works of evil are much more prevalent today. As we have advanced in the world of technology, so too have we advanced in ways of employing it to deceive and corrupt others.
Many of today’s nations are experiencing desolation due to despotic power. The loss of a home, job and all our savings is nothing compared to living under despotic governments. A  despotic  government is not out of the question for the U.S. if it loses faith in its civil leaders and errs on the side of picking an autocratic dictator to guarantee security.
No doubt many people will take issue with these observations, saying they are too negative, give a one- sided picture and do not take into account our system of checks and balances. But one thing is true: Citizens of the United States need to read the signs of the times to learn the moral and ethical practices these signs are calling for.
I believe the times are telling us that the responsibility for bolstering our morality and ethics is no longer to be left solely to intellectuals and civil and church leaders. An age of new citizenship is needed, one in which everyone takes action to guard against becoming one more fallen nation.

                           

 Grant,O Lord, that we may always revere and love your holy name,
for You never deprive us of Your holy guidance,
  those You set firm on the foundation of Your love,
through Jesus our Lord.  Amen





We all have sinned and fallen short of Gods' grace by ignoring God's
teachings. However, the psalmist says that God's  word is "a lamp unto our feet 
and a Light unto our path!"
"And where sin abounds, Grace abounds more!"

"There are set before you fire and water:
to whichever you choose,  stretch forth your hand.
Before you are life and death,
whichever you choose will be given you !"
Sirach 15; 14-17



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